Who Gustav von Aschenbach is
Gustav von Aschenbach is a respected author living in Munich, past fifty and accustomed to ruling himself through will. He is a widower with a married daughter, and the state has honored his literary work with a title. He writes each morning at a fixed pace, treating art as a duty rather than waiting for inspiration.
What Gustav von Aschenbach wants
After a tiring morning of work, an encounter with a stranger awakens a sudden desire to travel. He tells himself that a brief rest away from his desk will help him return to his work. In Venice, however, his attention shifts from recovering his energy to watching Tadzio at the hotel and beach.
Gustav von Aschenbach and the others in the story
Tadzio is a Polish boy of about fourteen whose beauty reminds Aschenbach of ancient Greek statues. Aschenbach first describes his admiration to himself as an artist's response to a beautiful form. Their glances meet, but they never speak, and the boy knows nothing of the writer's inner thoughts.
How Gustav von Aschenbach changes
Aschenbach's admiration gradually becomes a need that his learned ideas about beauty help him explain away. When he attempts to leave Venice, a mistake with his luggage gives him a welcome excuse to return. His growing attachment exposes the distance between the disciplined man he knows and the desires he can no longer master.
Questions
Who is Gustav von Aschenbach?
He is the ageing, honored German author at the center of Death in Venice.
Why does Gustav von Aschenbach travel to Venice?
He seeks rest and renewed energy after becoming tired and dissatisfied with his work.
How does Aschenbach relate to Tadzio?
Aschenbach becomes fascinated by Tadzio's beauty and watches him from a distance. They exchange glances but do not speak.